Lampard is ‘worth his weight in gold’, says ‘Arry

QPR chief slams Chelsea’s transfer call

QPR chief Harry Redknapp believes that Chelsea have made a massive mistake in letting Frank Lampard move on for free this summer.

The England international – who will represent the Three Lions at the World Cup – was recently named of the Blues’ released list after failing to come to a contract agreement with the club.

Despite him being set to become a free agent, there has been some talk that the London club will present him with another one-year deal in a few months’ time when he returns from Brazil yet this has been quashed by the player who is already attracting attention from other clubs.

New York City FC – a newly formed American side bankrolled by Manchester City and the New York Yankees who are set to join the MLS next year – are said to be desperate to make Lampard one of their marquee players, while there is even talk of a shock switch to QPR.

Super Hoops boss Redknapp believes that if Chelsea do let their record goalscorer move on they will regret it:

“He (Lampard) is easily good enough to do another year at Chelsea but I don’t think Frank would be happy if he wasn’t playing regularly because he is not used to that,” he is quoted by Goal.

“If I was Chelsea manager, I would take him back for another year, absolutely. He’s still worth his weight in gold around the place and Roy Hodgson feels the same as far as England are concerned.

“You need good characters around, whether it’s a football club or the England dressing room. His set piece delivery is still the best in the business.

“If he goes to New York, and their season does not start until March, you never know… if he’s got six months to fill, maybe he fancies a game at QPR.”